World Religions Today

Canadian Edition

John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, Todd Lewis and Paul Bowlby

A lively and thoughtful survey of the world's major religious traditions, World Religions Today, first Canadian edition, provides historical background while exploring the role of each religion in contemporary society. Recognizing that these traditions are dynamic forces impacting both
individuals and society as a whole, the text shows how religions have been affected and transformed by the modern world. This edition is the only text available that focuses on the role of religion in modern society while offering a Canadian perspective, complete with Canadian examples. Exploring
religious traditions from their origins to the present, World Religions Today, first Canadian edition, is the ideal text for any introductory World Religion or Comparative Religion course!

Readership : World Religions Today is an introductory text for World Religions, Comparative Religions, and Introduction to Religion courses offered out of Religious Studies Departments at the first- to third-year level.

Preface1. IntroductionGlobalization: World Religions in a Multicultural SocietyUnderstanding 'World Religions'Understanding Religious Experience and Its ExpressionsThe Great TransitionThe Great Religious Stories of the WorldModernization in Global
PerspectiveModern Colonialism, the Socialist Challenge, and the End of ModernityPostmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World2. Primal ReligionsThe Modern Human as Homo ReligiosusHunter-Gatherers and the Prehistoric Origins of ReligionAnimism and AfterlifeThe
ShamanPrimal Religions and the Cataclysms of ColonialismPrimal Religions Today3. The Many Stories of Judaism: Sacred and SecularEncounter with Modernity: Modern Judaisms and the Challenge of Ultra-OrthodoxyPremodern Judaism: The Formative EraPremodern Judaism: The
Classical EraJudaism and ModernityJudaism and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World4. Christian Diversity and the Road to ModernityEncounter with Modernity: The Fundamentalist - Modernist ControversyPremodern Christianity: The Formative EraPremodern Christianity:
The Classical EraChristianity and ModernityChristianity and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World5. Islam: The Many Faces of the Muslim ExperienceEncounter with Modernity: The Challenge of Western ColonialismPremodern Islam: The Formative EraPremodern Islam: The
Classical EraIslam and ModernityIslam and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial WorldIslam: Postmodern Challenges6. Hinduism: Myriad Paths to SalvationA Far-Ranging Spiritual TraditionEncountering Modernity: Hindu Challenges to India as a Secular StatePremodern
Hinduism: The Formative EraPremodern Hinduism: The Classical Era (180 BCE-900 CE)Premodern Hinduism: The Postclassical Era (1500 BCE-900 CE)Hinduism and ModernityHinduism and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial WorldHinduism in Practice7. Buddhism: Ways to
NirvanaEncounter with Modernity: Socially Engaged BuddhismPremodern Buddhism: The Formative EraPremodern Buddhism: The Classical EraPremodern Buddhism: Buddhist ExpansionBuddhism and ModernityBuddhism and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World8. Sikhism:
Becoming a World ReligionGeography and Demography of SikhismEncounter with ModernityGuru Nanak, 1469-1539Sikhism and Modernity: Sikhs and the Responses to ColonialismSikhism and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World9. East Asian Religions: Traditions of Human
Cultivation and Natural HarmonyEncounter with Modernity: Postcolonial Confucian EconomicsEast Asian Religions in the Premodern EraEast Asian Religions in the Early Modern EraEast Asian Religions and Postmodern Trends in a Postcolonial World10. Globalization: From New to New
Age ReligionsNew ReligionsNew Age ReligionsReligious Postmodernism and Global EthicsGlossaryArt CreditsIndex

Instructor's ManualStudent Study Guide

John L. Esposito is University Professor, Professor of Religion and International Affairs, Professor of Islamic Studies, and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. He
specializes in Islam, political Islam from North Africa to Southeast Asia, and religion and international affairs. Darrell J. Fasching is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida. Todd Lewis is Professor of World Religions at the College of the Holy Cross.Paul Bowlby
is Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Saint Mary's University. His current research interest is on new religious diversity in Canada.